Transportation

KENTWOOD, Mich.—Travelers at Gerald R. Ford International Airport may soon get a taste of West Michigan’s craft brewing industry.

The airport will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday, Dec. 18 to celebrate two new restaurants: Bell’s Brewery Bar and Greens. The businesses will be operated by HMSHost. Both are located before the security screening portion of the airport.

The ribbon cutting ceremony starts at 10 a.m. The vice president of Bell’s Brewery and other business leaders are expected to attend.

EAST GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.— The new Ambulance Consortium in Kent County is growing.

Grand Rapids, Grandville, East Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Wyoming and Rockford have already voted to form the consortium. Plainfield Township is also considering joining.

The Ambulance Consortium would establish across-the-board ambulance service standards for all communities involved, through contracts. East Grand Rapids City Manager Brian Donovan says communities that are part of the consortium will create an oversight group which will make sure all ambulance companies are abiding by contractual standards. By consolidating regulation, each community will save staff time and money.

Kent County communities have been working on the partnership since 2010.

WALKER, Mich.—The Grand Valley Metropolitan Council has some new faces at its helm.

During the Dec. 5 meeting, Grandville Mayor Steve Maas, Kentwood Mayor Steve Keply and Walker Mayor Mark Huizenga officially joined the GVMC Board of Directors. All three men were elected in November and selected by city members to serve on the panel.

Ada Township Supervisor George Haga and Sand Lake Village Trustee Roger Towsley also took the oath of office. They represent the first two communities to join GVMC since 2007. The Board of Directors also recently approved accepting Lowell Township as a member.

The GVMC is in charge of coordinating development and governmental affairs across municipalities.

EAST GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—The standards for ambulances running in East Grand Rapids may soon change.

During its regular meeting Monday night, the city commission approved joining an ambulance consortium with other Kent County communities. The consortium would establish across-the-board ambulance service standards for all communities involved, through contracts. East Grand Rapids currently works with AMR Ambulance, but the city does not have a contract with the company.

City Manager Brian Donovan says communities that are part of the consortium will create an oversight group which will make sure all ambulance companies are abiding by contractual standards. By consolidating regulation, each community will save staff time and money.

Travelers at Gerald R. Ford International Airport can now get an extra jolt of energy – for their electronic devices, that is.

The airport is adding 46 charging stations in between gate area seating throughout its concourses. Each charging station includes six 120-volt outlets and two USB connections, allowing visitors to charge cell phones, laptops and other electronics.

“We are constantly looking for ways we can make our airport more passenger-friendly,” said Airport Executive Director Brian Ryks. “Our new charging stations will give both business and leisure travelers the ability to stay plugged-in and entertained while traveling in and out of our airport.”

The charging stations have already been installed in Concourse A. Crews are expected to finish adding the stations to Concourse B by the end of the week.

WYOMING, Mich. – The City of Wyoming is announcing road closures as the 28th Street Metro Cruise rolls back into town.

Michael Avenue from 28th Street south to Plaza Drive will be closed from 4 p.m. Friday, August 23 to midnight Saturday, August 24 for the annual event.

The Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce began the 28th Street Metro Cruise in 2005 as a way to drive more business to the corridor after M-6 opened. The annual event has since grown to attract more than 250,000 visitors every year, with more than 15,000 vehicles on display.

The cake was presented Sunday, August 11, when Southwest began service out of Grand Rapids. The dessert was designed by Jason Kakabaker, owner of Cakabakery, located at 1436 Wealthy St. SE. Kakabaker was recently featured on Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars,” where he finished second.